Aesop at Court :: :: University of Virginia Library

Ren an old Poacher after Game,
Saw Grapes look tempting Fine:
But now grown impotent and Lame,
Cou'd not command the Vine;
His Lips he lick'd, stood ogleing with his Eyes,
Strein'd at a running Jump, but mist the prize.

Quoth he that honest Bush hard by,
Might give a Friend a lift:
In troth its Curtesy I'll try,
And venture for a shift;
Without more words he bounces to the top,
But Gor'd and Wounded is compell'd to drop.

Down Reynard came batter'd, and tore,
He Blow'd and lick'd his Paws:
Then muttered to himself and swore,
Cursing the Fatal Cause;
Damn'd Rascal Shrub, quoth he, whom hedgestakes Scorn,
Beneath a Furs-bush, or the Scoundrel Thorn.

Good words, Friend Ren, the Bush reply'd
Here no incroacher Scapes:
Those Foxes that on Brambles Ride,
Love Thorns, as well as Grapes;
But better Language wou'd your Mouth become,
If you must Curse, go Curse the Fool at home.

The MORAL.

Who first offend, then in Disputes ingage,
Shou'd check their Passions and undecent rage:
But peevish Age, of weak Resentments Proud,
Like Woman's Stouborn, Impotent and Loud.

Ill manners never found a just pretence,
And rude Expressions show a barren Sense:
But when high birth descends to mean abuse,
The Crime runs Foulest, and finds no excuse.